Pressure-relief member for dispenser for viscous material



- Feb. 2, 1960 H. s. MARAS 2,923,442

PRESSURE-RELIEF MEMBER FOR DISPENSER FOR VISCOUS MATERIAL Filed Feb. 9, 1956 INVENTOR. Henry S. Maros ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent ()fiice 2,923,442 Patented Feb. 2, 19 60 This invention relates to an improved cartridge container refill and an improved dispenser for viscous material, or the like, having a new and novel pressure- -relief member. More particularly, the pressure-relief member of this invention comprises a deformable member which may be a resilient diaphragm, or a thin membrane, or combinations thereof, for the controlling, minimizing and/ or preventing of unwanted and excessive dis- "charge of viscous material after cessation of the. application of a discharge force.

In the dispensing of viscous material, or the like, such "as calking materials, putty, paste, greases, jellies, creams,

f: and other products of paste, cream or doughlike consistency, numerous prior art dispensers comprise ainaterial container and a means for applying pressure or move- "ment to the material contents to propel and discharge the material through an orifice in the dispensing "device.

Frequently, thispressure or movement means comprises apiston-type arrangement of a plunger or shaft withan "afiixed plate which contacts aviscous material and which upon' suitable plunger or shaft movement propels the material causing the material to discharge through an orifice of thedispenser. i For example, inthe dispensing of calking 'ma'terials in the calking material application art, a calking gun comprising a hand grip, a discharge nozzle having an orifice, a tubular material container, and a movementmeans "such as a trigger-operated ratchet plunger with an afiixed plate, is frequently used. In operation of thec'alking gun, afterthe tubular container has been filled with calk- -ing materials, or after a cartridge-container refill of 'calkingmaterial has been placed in the gun, a trigger is operated to advance the plunger forward. plunger forward movement the plate attached to the plunger contacts and propels the material'contents, or propels a cup contacting the material contents' of the cartridge-container refill, thus propelling the material forward, so that the material discharges through the orifice. Cessation of the forward movement of'the plunger does not cause an immediate cessation of the discharge of the calking material through the orifice as material continues to extrude, drip, or flow from the'orificefor some time after cessation 'of the plunger forward .movement. The continuation of material discharge through the orifice of the gun after cessation of the plunger forward movement not only creates',an excessive Upon -' and unwanted material discharge but gives a messy operhationthat permits material loss and waste. Very probably the excessive and unwanted discharge of material'is caused by failure to dissipate the forces causing material movement in a short enough interval of time to prevent further forward movement of material and discharge. If

@6 5 not, of its own accord, moverearwardly appreciably through the orifice of the dispenser.

to relieve suddenly all the remaining applied forces on the material.

An object of this invention is to provide a suitable meanscomprising a suitable pressure-relief member for the control, minimization, and/or prevention of discharge of viscous materials from a cartridge refill or a dispenser after cessation of an applied discharge means.

An additional object is to provide a pressure-relief member adapted for placement in present art calking dispensers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pressure-relief member for a dispenser of viscous materials, or the like, that provides a sudden cessation of a material discharge upon a cessation and withdrawal of an application of a means for propelling the material contents.

A further object is to provide a combined end-cap pressure-relief member for pressing art cartridge-container refills of calking materials.

Still a further object is to provide a pressure-relief memberfor a dispenser of viscous materials, or the like, comprising a resilient diaphragm and/or a thin membrane.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following detailed disclosure. and description thereof.

This invention 'is a pressure-relief member for a cartridge-container refill and for a dispenser-of viscous materials comprisinga deformable. member which may be a, resilient diaphragm, or a thin membrane, or combinations thereof,'wli'ereby unwanted and excessive discharge of material controlled, minimized, and/ or prevented. The preferred pressure-relief member-of'this invention comprises a diaphragm having sufiicient resiliency to re cover to its approximately undeformed position, or a thin collapsible membrane capable of inflation by'slight force, or combinations thereof. Upon cessation-and'removal of an applied discharge force the forces remaining on the viscous material cause material to flow into the volume encompassed by the diaphragm upon recovery or encompassed by the thin membrane upon inflation rather than in an unwanted and excessive discharge In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a dispenser showing the pressure-relief member of this invention having a pressure-relief diaphragm in an undeformed position;

.Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the same dispenser as shown in Fig. 1 showing the pressureq'elief diaphragm in a deformed position;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a dispenser having a cartridge-container refill showing a combined end-cap pressure-relief member for a cartridge refill with a diaphragm in an undeformed position; and

-A portion of a material dispenser is illustrated in Figs.

1, 2, and 3. A nozzle 11 having an orifice 12 is an integral part of end cap 13 or is aflixed by any suitable means such as welding to end cap 13. End cap 13 is affixed to tubular container 14 by a suitable means such 1 as a threaded engagement designated 15. Within tubular container 14 is a cuplike pressure-relief member generally designated 16. Pressure-relief member 16, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, has a dome-shaped resilient diaphragm 17 and a directly and integrally connected guid ing means comprising side wall 18 extending rearwardly from said diaphragm and having an outer surface in slid able engagement with an inner surface of the tubular con- Jtainer. 14. Directly rearward of 'cuplike pressure-relief member 16 is a plunger plate 19 in slidable engagement with the "inner surface of side wall 18 and capable" of 17 of "the pressure-relief member '16. In Figs. 1 and13 plunger plate 19 is not in contact .with the diaphragm 17 and the diaphragm 17 is shown in an. undeformed or dome-shaped position. In "Fig; 2 .plunger plate 19 has moved forward and is in contact with diaphragrn'17 with the diaphragm 17 shown in a deformed position. Plunger ,plate 19 is aflixediby-a suitable means such as welding to one end of plunger 20. Plunger20 has teeth 21 forengaging a conventional trigger-operated ratchet mechanism notillustrated. In the .portion of the dispenser not illustrated there are found a conventional trigger-operated ratchet mechanism andga' -hand grip for controlling the movement of the plunger and for the easy handling-of the dispenser device. Numerous hand grips and triggeroperated ratchet mechanisms known in the art maybe used in combination with the'dispenser with typicalex- "amples'being those'known in the (talking gun art;

In Fig. 3 a tubularcartridge-container refill generally designated 22 has been inserted in tubular container 14,, of the dispenser. Cartridge-containerrefill 22 has'a side wall 23 and an afiixed or integral end'cap 24 'atonefend having an orifice 25 in a protruding nozzle26.v fNot illustrated is a plug or frangible covering for the orifice with the inner surface of side .wall 23 of container rjefill 22. Plunger plate 19 directly rearward of combined endcappressure-relief member'16is'in slidable engagement wlth the inner surface of side wall 18 and is capable of passing interiorly of, cartridge-container refill 22 to contact diaphragm -17 ofpressure-re'lief member 16.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the pressure-relief member of this invention generally designated 30-pomprising abellows-type diaphragm 132 connected-t @niflte t :gral guiding means of a side wall31'.

Fig. illustrates an embodiment of the pressu re1relief 50 memberof this invention comprising a thinmembrane 33 aflixed by a suitable means, such as cements or adhesives 34, to an annular flange 35 of a guidingmeans of .a sidewall 36.

Fig.6 illustrates an embodiment of the pressure-relief memberof this invention wherein a modified domeshaped diaphragm 37 having a peripheral ringlike protuberance 38 has been affixed by a suitable means, such as cements or adhesives 39, to an integral annular flange 40 attached to a side wall 41.

Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the pressuredelief member of this invention wherein a modified dome- "shapedqdiaphragm 42 having a peripheral ring 43 isvheld bymeans of an integral'inwardly protruding ridge VMLof side wall 45 and an annular flange 46 of a guiding means of a side wall 45.,

Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the pressure-relief member of this invention wherein a modified dome-r shaped diaphragm 47 having a peripheral ring 48 contacts an annular ilange 49 of a guiding means of a side wall 50, and 1s held in that position by a ring 51 whichv is in forcefitwith the inner surface of side wall 50. i

In the operation of the pressure-relief member of this invention, asillustrated in the dispenser of Figs. 1 and 'Z, a conventional trigger-operated ratchet'mechanism, hot

ment. The power for operation of the suitable movement means may be manual, mechanical, hydraulic or other 5 suitable means. Forward movement of plunger 20 and affixed plunger plate 19 provides for contact of plate 19 a with diaphragm 17 causing diaphragm 17 to deform from the position as illustrated in Fig. l to the deformed position as illustrated in :Fig.- 2. As gplungerlfl .andaaffixed plate 19 continue theirforward movement, pressurerelief member '16 is propelled forward. towards the noazle 11 propelling the material contents within the cylindrical container 14- so that the material discharges through the orifice 12 of the-nozzle -11. 'Side Wall-1150f pressure-relief member 16 acts as a guide means'byguiding on the inner surface of tubular container 14 with a slidable substantially material-tight engagement thereon. The clearance betweentheouter. surface of side wall.,18nan d:the sinner 'surfacexif tubular container 14 is such asjto prevent sub- 0 stantial material leakage betweenfside wall'18 -andltlie -adjacent innersurface 'o'flthe container Q Upon-cessa- A tion. of-the movement.-means causing plungerto move ;mean s sorthatgplungers20 and aifixed .plate are free .to .r etract rearwardly orare withdrawn .rearwardly .at-short distance by? suitable part of the movement means, such as 'a spring,'diaphragm 17 snaps or returns from time .de- Y vrformedt position as illustrated ,in Fig. 2.10 ithezundeformed position ,as illustrated in Fig. 1. Material withinL-tubular :v iconta'iner HM iflows into the volume encompassed by .the position of thetundeformeddiaphragm .17,.thus equalizing fthe litemainingforces on the material causing the discharge [charge through itheiorifice, i i j I v In subsequent operation of thecalkingdevice,ort-idisenser, asillustrated iii-Figs. 1-and\2, additional portions @ofrmate'rial may be discharged by re-engagement offithe fratchettmechanism ,and the hreoperationaof the movelfiment means iwhereby the plunger 20 and aflixed plate 19 readvance to recontact and redeform diaphragm 17 so 7 as to repropel' the pressure-relief member 16 and "material towards the nozzle 11. Cessation of this additional material discharge .may be reaccomplished by repetition .of'the aforedescribed cessation procedure of the :initial rmate'rial discharge. Subsequent discharges of material remaining in the tubular container 14 may be made (by ,repeating previously described procedures until the tubularcontainer 1 has ,been exhausted -of material. In-tall .cessations'of discharges .of these portionsof material the t cessation of material discharge through the orificeul12.

terial container refil1 22 is illustrated, the operation of the pressure-relief member of this invention is-i'similar 55 to the operation asdescribed for the dispenser ofFigs. l and 2. Plunger 20and afl'ixed plunger plate 19 onsfonward movement by a suitable movement means contact p and compress and deform diaphragm 17.to aflzdeformed position and cause pressure-relief member to mOVEFfOI- ward towards the nozzle propelling :the material contents so that material isrdischarged through-orifice; 12 f of nozzleQll. Side. wall 18;of t-pressure-reliefmember "1J6 acts asaguide means by guidinglontheinnersurface of side twallf23 of cartridge-container refill 22 with the iclearanceil'between side wall 18. and .side wall .23 being :such that littleor no material leaks into .the clearance.

Cessation of the forward movement of the pressurer'elief member"16 and retraction rearward: or withdrawal rearward, or freedom to retract rearward 'of 'plunger*20 :with aifixed plate 19'permits diaphragm 17 'to recover to the 'undeformed posit'ionas illustratedin -.Fig. 13. I Materialwithin the cartridge refill container' 22 -flows' into the volume encompassed by the position ofthe *undeformed diaphragm '17 to equalize the remaining i -iforces 011 the material causing discharge, thus forward-and uponIdisengagement dftthe ratchetsretaining an'dJpermittingla sudden cessationofethe material dis pressure-relief member of this invention causes BQSUddGIl In Fig. 3, wherein a dispenser utilizing a cartridge zmasudden cessation of material discharge through the orifices '25 and 12. Additional portions of material within the cartridge-container refill 22 of Fig. 3 may be discharged by subsequent "repetition of the operations causing forward movement of plunger 204 These material discharges may be discontinued by repetition of the aforedescribed cessation steps of the forward movement .of plunger 20 followed by slight rearward retraction or withdrawal, or freedom to retractrearwardly, of plunger 20 with the pressure-relief member of this invention causing a sudden cessation of material discharge.

The operation of the embodiments of the pressurerelief member of this invention that are illustrated in Figs. 4, 6, 7, and 8 is the same as the operation described for. the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Forward movement of a propelling means deforms a diaphragm and propels the pressure-relief member thus propelling a material for discharge through an orifice. Cessation of the forward movement of the propolling means and withdrawal rearwardly or freedom to retract rearwardly of the propelling means permits material to flow into the volume encompassed by the position of the undeformed diaphragm permitting a sudden cessation of the material discharge through the orifice.

Alternatively, an embodiment of a pressure-relief member of this invention may for the deformable member in place of a diaphragm comprise a thin film membrane as illustrated in Fig. 5, or may comprise combinations thereof. In the operation of a pressure-relief member having a thin film membrane, the forward movement of a plunger and attached plunger plate deforms the membrane so that the membrane conforms to the surface of the plunger plate. Rearward movement of the plunger and attached plunger plate permit the thin film membrane to inflate with material and dissipate the forces remaining on the material that cause material discharge. Unlike the diaphragm of one embodiment of the pressure-relief member of this invention, the thin film membrane does not have a self-recovering type of action to create a void wherein the material may flow, but depends 1 on the forces remaining on the material to' inflate the thin film membrane. Accordingly, the thin film membrane should be of material and thickness that permit easy inflation.

The diaphragm of the pressure-relief member of this invention may have suflicient resiliency to self-recover completely to the undeformed position upon rearward movement of the plunger and plunger plate, or the diaphragm. of the pressure-relief member of this invention may be such as requires some slight force from the forces remaining on the material to recover to an undeformed position and thus function in a manner somewhat similar to the embodiment of this invention illustrated in Fig. 6.

A pressure-relief member of this invention having a diaphragm with sufiicient resiliency to self-recover to an undeformed position upon removal of the deforming force and the rearward movement of the plunger and atfixed plunger plate, affords an advantage in that a vacuum may form within the void encompassed by the position of the undeformed diaphragm and this vacuum may assist in suctionally drawing material into the void.

In Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the pressure-relief member of the invention comprises a one-piece unit having an integral side wall of a guiding means, and a diaphragm. It is to be noted that in this embodiment preferably the side wall is of a greater thickness than the thickness of the diaphragm. Plastic and rubber compositions, known to the art as having chemical resistance to the viscous materials utilized and known to have suitable resilient properties, may be molded by conventional equipment and means to form a pressurerelief member of this invention.

In Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, are shown embodiments of :thepressur'e-relief member: of this? invention comprising two or more parts. "In these embodiments the diaphragm Ior m'embrane-isa material having suitable chemical and resilient properties, such as a rubber orplastic, and-the guiding means is a suitable rigid material, such as a metal.

The exact configuration of the guiding means of the pressure-relief member 'of this invention may be varied considerably.

cylindrical material containers have been illustrated, the material container may be, for example a fluted tube, a tube of square, triangular, elliptical, or rectangular cross section or of other suitable design. The guiding means thereon so as to wipeand clean the inner'surface of the material container relatively free of material with little 1 or no material leaking around theguiding means. In 'this way material is discharged through the orifice of the container without substantial leaking rearward towards the plunger.

The pressure-relief member of this invention may be incorporated in a material cartridge container refill as a combined end-cap pressure-relief member for the material cartridge container refill, thus replacing a conventional end cap while still serving the purposes of this invention when the cartridge container refill is installed in a dispenser. For example, many calking materials are shipped and merchandized in a rigid paper tubular cartridge having an end cap which may receive a plunger and attached plunger plate for subsequent movement of the end cap through the cartridge to propel calking material from one end of the cartridge having an orifice. With the combined end-cap pressure-relief member of this invention installed as an end cap on a paper tube cartridge of calking material a ready shipping and merchandizing containers for calking material, or the like, is available. Also, when the same cartridge container refill of calking material having a combined end-cap pressure-relief member of this invention is placed in 'a calking gun, a pressure-relief member for the purposes of this invention is available.

It will be understood, of course, that, while the forms of the invention herein shown and described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not intended herein to illustrate all of the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It will also be understood that the words used are words of description rather than of limitation, and that various changes, such as changes in shape, relative size, and arrangement of parts, may be substituted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention herein disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressure-relief device in combination with a cartridge of viscous material for use in a dispenser of the viscous material, the cartridge comprising an elongated container having a discharge outlet at its forward end and its rearward end closed by the pressure-relief device, said pressure-relief device including: a flexible deformable member in contact with said material and axially displaceable; and a longitudinally elongated guide means slidably disposed in said cartridge, and connected to and extending rearwardly of said flexible deformable member; whereby upon applying pressure to said deformable member against the viscous material the viscous material is dispensed through the discharge outlet, and upon releasing the applied pressure said deformable mem ber flexes and there is a sudden cessation of the viscous material dispensed through said discharge outlet.

2. The pressure-relief device in combination with the cartridge of claim 1 in which said flexible deformable diaphragm of a resilient material.

It is to be understood'that the shape of the 'm'aterial container may also be varied and, While tubular :sure-relief :device' includes a means connectingrsaid fiex iibleideformablewmember and said guide "m'ea'ns. a a

4. The vpressure-relief devicein "combinatibn 'wwith the :cartridgeof claimtl in which said flexible-deformable member comprises a thin inflatable membrane. I

5. A,press ure-relief-device in combination with adisgpenser ICOmPIiSiHg: an elongated container r rccntaining" a viscous material 'andvhaving a discharge outlet atritsifor- .zwardiend, the :prssure-reliefdevice at its rearwardrend,

i-and a means for zpropelling. thehmaterial @th'rough the (discharge; outlet 'located rearwardly of the pressure-relief zdevice, :said pressure-relief device "including: aaflexible xdeformable member unattached 'to the meansrforzpro- ,pelling; and a longitudinally elongated guideumeans ;slidably disposedin the elongated eontainen and connected Q0 Y 3 to and extending rearwardly-of 'saidafiexibleadeformable member; whereby upon applying the 'rneanstforzpropel- "ling H to said flexible deformable member the =visecus ma- :terial 1 :is dispensed through {said -'discharge :outlet, mud

mponireleasingithaapplied 'imeans :1fcr;pr,opelling said de- Eotmablfimemben flexes' and 'there is a-:s'i1dden cessation offither material dispensed 1 through fsaid t-discharge -f0utlet'. i :6. i he rpressureff'felief device in combination with the 'disfiienser. of claim 5.; in 'which said flexible; deformable v 'member eomprises -a reafwardly projecting dome-shaped *diaphr'agm of a resilient material. p v y e v v A -7-.:fl;he. pressure-relief device in -combinationwithr the $10 dispenser dflicl'air'nfi in which 'said' -flexibleHdeformable member comprises a thin inflatable membrane.

y -'ReferencesICited -in the file of this patent STATES; PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,923,442 February 2, 1960 Henry S. Mara g.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should readas corrected below.

Column 2 line 17, for "pressing" read present line 31, before "controlled" insert is "a Signed and sealed 28th day of June 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patents 

